Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)

The 2010 report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services was critical of the facilities in Waterford but nothing substantial was done to improve the facility since the report was published. Adding to the existing problems in Waterford, patients from Wexford now use the same facility. The acute mental health service in Waterford Regional Hospital is located in a basement overlooked by a carpark and there are no occupational or recreational facilities for patients. In recent weeks, 16 of its 40 beds have been occupied by Wexford patients. Will an acute mental health admission service be established in Wexford General Hospital given that Waterford is clearly not fit for purposes and that requiring patients from Wexford to use the same service is hardly a great idea? Wexford is crying out for an acute mental unit.

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